Crystal River, Three Sisters Spring, Florida, USA Nov 8, 2023

Crystal River, Three Sisters Spring, Florida, USA

Manatees have a fascinating history that spans millions of years. They are closely related to elephants and can be traced back to the Eocene era (about 56 to 33.9 million years ago), making them one of the oldest mammals on Earth. These slow-moving herbivores have, over time, adapted to life in warm, coastal waters. Known for their friendly demeanour and unique whiskered faces, these sleepy creatures have always been welcoming towards humans. Sadly, they have been exposed to various threats, such as habitat loss and boat collisions, due to which raising awareness has become essential. So, if you visit Crystal River and come across a West Indian manatee, we encourage you to take a moment to appreciate them, but from a distance.

© Karine Aigner/Tandem Stills + Motion

palette

Today in History

Celebrating Guru Nanak Gurpurab
Nov 8, 2024Glacial rivers, Iceland
Nov 8, 2025Bandon Beach in Bandon, Oregon, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Dec 17, 2024Traditional red fishermens cabins, Reine, Norway
Jun 23, 2024Dhaka, Bangladesh
Apr 19, 2025Zion National Park, Utah, United States
Oct 20, 2024International Sloth Day
Mar 21, 2025Happy International Day of Forests!
Dec 4, 2023Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Stepping back in time
Oct 25, 2023Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
Aug 5, 2024Lavender field, Hertfordshire, England
Feb 16, 2024Female pyrrhuloxia in Texas, USA
Sep 30, 2025Koala in the Great Otway National Park, Australia
Fly me to the moon
Jul 28, 2025World Nature Conservation Day
Oct 10, 2024Ancient town of Sorano, Tuscany, Italy
‘Moravian Tuscany’
Jan 20, 2026Penguin Awareness Day
Dec 25, 2023Christmas Day
Part science experiment, part public park
Stripes in sight
Dec 30, 2023Daiichi Tadami River Bridge, Fukushima, Japan
What waterborne wizardry is this?
Aug 22, 2024Aerial view of Ocean City, Maryland, USA
Apr 14, 2025Ambedkar Jayanti
Whos in this creepy copse?
Shining city on the hill
Dec 17, 2025Eurasian red squirrel in Northumberland, England
Jan 12, 2026Eurasian otter and pup, Estonia
Jul 2, 2025Spine-cheeked anemonefish
Apr 12, 2024Arches National Park, Utah, USA
Apr 21, 2025International Dark Sky Week